Beckham crowned soccer's top earner

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Beckham tops soccer's rich list6 photos

David Beckham - $46.5 million – David Beckham has topped the list of the world's highest-paid footballers compiled by prestigious France Football magazine. The veteran midfielder, who signed a five-month contract with French club Paris Saint-Germain in January, is set to earn $46.5 million during the 2012-13 season. Beckham is donating his salary, which is said to account for 5% of his earnings, to a children's charity.

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Beckham tops soccer's rich list6 photos

Lionel Messi - $45.2 million – Lionel Messi has left every footballer on the planet trailing in his wake in recent years, but the Argentine is only second on this list with $45.2 million. The Barcelona star is reportedly set to earn $17 million from his salary and bonuses alone.

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Beckham tops soccer's rich list6 photos

Cristiano Ronaldo - $39 million – Just behind Messi is Cristiano Ronaldo on $39 million. The Real Madrid forward's salary and bonuses amount to slightly more than Messi at $17.5 million.

Carlo Ancelotti - $15.5 million – Carlo Ancelotti has benefited from the Qatari takeover of Paris Saint-Germain. The Italian, who has guided PSG into the quarterfinals of the European Champions League, is the second highest-earning coach behind Mourinho on $15.5 million.

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Beckham tops soccer's rich list6 photos

Marcello Lippi - $14 million – Ancelotti's compatriot Marcello Lippi has been richly rewarded for delivering the Chinese Super League title to Guangzhou Evergrande. The 2006 World Cup-winning coach has reportedly made $14 million from his first season.

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Story highlights

David Beckham is named as the highest-paid footballer in the world

The PSG midfielder earns $46.5 million, according to France Football magazine

Barcelona's Lionel Messi second on the list ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho is the highest-earning coach in the game

David Beckham is the highest-paid soccer player in the world, according to prestigious magazine France Football.

The former England captain, who recently joined Paris Saint-Germain on a five-month contract, attracts more cash than four-time FIFA World Player of the Year Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

Beckham, who spent five years with the Los Angeles Galaxy between 2007 and 2012, is set to earn $46.5 million (€36 million) during the 2012-13 football season through his salary, endorsements and other business ventures.

The midfielder's entire PSG salary, which is estimated to make up 5% of his total earnings, will be donated to a Paris children's charity.

Second on the magazine's rich list was Barcelona's Messi, who will reportedly make $45.2 million this season, with $17 million coming from salary and bonuses.

Real's Ronaldo has so often trailed narrowly behind Messi on the pitch, and so it is the financial stakes. The forward is set to pocket $39 million, although his salary and bonuses are slightly higher than Messi's at $17.5 million.

Ronaldo's coach and compatriot Jose Mourinho is the highest paid team boss on the planet, according to the list. The former Inter Milan and Chelsea coach will take home $18 million over the course of this season.

Carlo Ancelotti, Beckham's coach at PSG, is set to earn $15.5 million, while his fellow Italian Marcello Lippi was given $14 million to lead Guangzhou Evergrande to the Chinese Super League title.

France Football, first published in 1946, organized the Ballon d'Or award for European footballer of the year until it was merged with FIFA's world player of the year award in 2010.